Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Avionics

Vast; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 137,760 - 195,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous paid time off

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Vast is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Avionics to support the development of avionics systems for human-rated space stations. This full-time position located in Long Beach involves working in a dynamic design environment and playing a crucial role in the creation of high-reliability avionics solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in electronics packaging. Exceptional benefits and compensation, along with the opportunity to be part of innovative projects in space exploration, are offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with electronics packaging in extreme environments.
• Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5).
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Responsibilities

• Function in a cross-disciplinary team in a dynamic design environment.
• Create assembly and/or installation drawings.
• Design avionics enclosure for high reliability.

Skills

Electronics packaging

3D CAD programs

GD&T implementation

Thermal analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX CAD software

ANSYS

Altium

Job description

At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next‑generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware‑rich and low‑cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi‑module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven‑1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all‑in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.

Position Summary

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Avionics, reporting to Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering, Avionics, to support the development of the Avionics, RF, Power, or GNC systems for the design and build of human‑rated space stations. This is a full‑time, exempt position located in Long Beach, California.

Responsibilities

• Function in a cross disciplinary team and a dynamic design environment
• Support electronics development and trade studies, and create interface definition, specification, and control documents
• Validate requirements through design, test, analysis, or inspection
• Plan and conduct tests, review and interpret data
• Create assembly and/or installation drawings and support hardware builds
• Design avionics enclosure and mounting solutions for high reliability in harsh environments
• Participate in the entire design cycle of flight and mission critical avionics
• Work with the electrical engineering team to design rugged printed circuit board systems
• Complete thermal and structural analyses of these designs
• Create engineering drawings and manage the product configuration of the integrated designs through the product lifecycle
• Review test plans and manage testing and qualification of the product
• Design and/or support integration brackets of avionics components into the space station

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with electronics packaging and/or critical electronic components in extreme environments.
• Working experience with 3D CAD programs.
• Experience with GD&T implementation and analysis (ASME Y14.5).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• Working experience with NX preferred.
• Experience designing ruggedized electronics enclosures or similar high-performance hardware.
• Familiarity with environmental testing similar to SMC‑S‑016, and/or MIL‑STD‑810.
• Familiarity with circuit card design per IPC‑A‑610 and/or J standards.
• Thermal and structural analysis experience using ANSYS or similar.
• Experience with electrical schematic reviews and electrical schematic capture software (Altium or similar).

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range

• Senior Mechanical Design Engineer III: $137,760 - $195,552
• Staff Mechanical Design Engineer IV: $186,960 - $265,392

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary will vary depending on job‑related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full‑time employees also receive company equity, and access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents; generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non‑exempt staff with the ability to cash out unused vacation annually; paid parental leave; short and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health; and other discounts and perks. Exceptional food perks are also offered, with snacks, drip coffee and onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high‑quality meals for employees.

Export Control Compliance Status

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

Equal Opportunity

Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.